Fluid transfer apparatus



July 28, 1964 A. J. Russo :TAL

FLUID msm umwus Filed Deo. '7. 1960 lill v warg/Ms United States Patent FLUID TRANSFER APPARATUS Albert Jack Russo, Roslyn Heights, N.Y., and George Bernard Rooney, Maplewood, and Christopher Hollet Costello, Summit, NJ., assignors to Colgate-Palmolive Company, New York, N.Y.,.a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 7, 1960, Ser. No. 74,362

4 Claims. (Cl. 141-113) The present invention relates to apparatus for the transfer of a uid charge from a pressurized dispenser to an unpressurized receiver. The invention is particularly concerned with hand-portable liuid dispensers and the transfer of uid from a pressurized hand-portable uid dispenser to a smaller.handportable unpressurized dispenser, such as e.g., .apparatus to permit an individual consumer multiply to re-impreg'nate the exhausted wicking of a vapor dispensing nasal inhalator with an appropriate liquid'or vapor medicament from a single handportablerpressurized. dispenser using a minimum of mechanical manipulation.

In accordance with the present invention, apparatus for the transfer ofr a'uid charge from a hand-portable pressurized dispenser to a hand-portable receiver maintained at atmospheric pressure comprises, in combination, a pressure-'tight` casing having a discharge outlet, a discharge valve closing said outlet, said valve having an inlet and a discharge port, a fluid charge and a compressed pneumatic medium confined under super-atmospheric pressure-within said casing, a receiver maintained at atmospheric pressure and having a filling opening, and means for communicating said filling opening with said discharge port, whereby on opening said discharge valve,v

said pneumatic medium causes discharge of said uid charge from saidv pressurized dispenser'through said valve to said receiver. a

In orderl to vindicate more specifically the advantages and capabilities of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which by way of illustration indicates preferred forms of apparatus embodying the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGQl illustrates the charging of the wicking. of a side-vented nasal inhalator through the inhalation port thereof from a pressurized dispenser which may, on disengagement from the inhalator, be employed per se as a space-spray device or apparatus.;

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate caps for use'with the inhalator and the pressurized dispenser of FIG. 1 respectively;

FIG. 4 illustrates'the recharging of a bottom-vented nasal inhalator through the vent thereof; and

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate caps for use with the inhalator of FIG. 4.

In FIG. 1, a pressurizeddispenser is indicated generally by a reference character 10. The dispenser comprises an upright cylindrical casing 12 closed at its lower end by a concave bottom member 14 crimped thereto. Use of such a bottom member enables the unit to stand upright on tiat or slightly uneven horizontal surfaces. The upper part of the cylinder 12 is closed by a convex top 16 crimped thereto, thetop being provided with an opening centrally located at the apex thereof into which is crimped a cup 20. A circular groove `or depression 22 is formed on the interior side wall of the cup in the course of crimping the cup to the top 16. Atlixed centrally to the base of the cup 20 is a valve indicated generally by .the reference character 24. The valve com prises a body.26 provided with a depending hollow inlet duct and an upwardly projecting hollow outlet stem 32. The valve stem 32 is biased to the upwardly extended, closed condition illustrated by a spring (not 70 shown); depression of the stem 32 opens the valve and iCe Patented July 28, 1964 permits fluid to pass through the valve. Desirably,.the valve 24 is of the continuous tlow or non-metering type so as'to permit alternative use of the pressurized dispenser as an open space or room spray, however metering valves, which permit a measured amount of fluid to be dispensedon each depression of the stern 32 may also be employed.

Slipped over the valve inlet duct 30 is a polyethylene siphon or dip tube 34, which arcs downwardly and outwardly from the valve into the corner formed between the bottom of the sidewall of the cylindrical casing 12 and the bottom member 14. vThe lower-most end'of the siphon tube 34 is open to receive a liquid charge 36, which .is disposed within the lower portion of the dispenser 10. The space above the liquid charge is occupied by a compressed gas generated by an easily liqueliable, normal-ly gaseous, propellent medium. The liquid charge is in solution in the propellant.

A press button 40 extends part, but not all the way down into the cup l20,l and is frictionally mounted over vthe upper end of the outlet stem 32. On one side the button has a sloping skirt 42 carrying, at lthe base thereof, a slip 44 which projects into the annular groove 22 in the cup 20. On its opposing side, the button is pro- A' vided with a horizontal platform 46 and a vertically de-. j pending skirt 50 which extends part way into the cup. A

The projecting delivery spout S2 is received by an inhalation port 60 in one end of a substantially cylindrical nasal inhalator indicated generally by a reference character 62. The inhalation port passes axially through the end Wall of a retainer 64 for an absorbent wick 66, the wick being frictionally held between the walls of the retainer. The wick protrudes from the retainer 64 into the well of a cylindrical body shell closed at one end thereof. Longitudinal ribs 72 on the outerv surfacel of the wick retainer 64 frictionally engage the inner surface of the body shell 70, providing longitudinal passageways or air vents 74 from the interior of the inhalator to the atmosphere. A step or projection 76 on the inner surface of the body 70 acts as a stop or positioning means for the wick retainer. v

Illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 are caps for the inhalator 62 and pressurized dispenser 10 of FIG. 1. The cap 80 of FIG. 2 is provided with internal threads 81 which match external threads 82 on the open end of the body shell 70, thus permitting closure of the inhalator when not in use. The cap 84 of FIG. 3 is a push-on cap, the inner surface of which frictionally engages the outer lip of the roll crimp betweent he cup 20 and the top of the dispenser 16.

In use, the pressurized dispenser 10 is charged with a uid composition to be dispensed and a liquefied normally gaseous propellent such as halogenated low molecular weighthydrocarbon, e.g. the following solution.

Dichlorodiuoromethane and trichloromonofluoromethane in a weight ratio of 60/40 respectively 75.00

Pressure in the dispenser is approximately 40 pounds per square inch gauge, and desirably should be between about 130 pounds per square inch gauge at 130 F. and about l pounds per square inch gauge at 70 F. To

recharge the wicking 66, the caps 80 and 84 are removed from theinhalator 62 and the pressurized dispenser 10 respectively and the inhalation port 60 of the inhalator 62 is slipped over the delivery spout 52 of the pressurized dispenser 10. This slip-fit engagement is, of course, not air tight and does not need to be, inasmuch as the inhalator is maintained at. atmospheric pressure by the air vents 74. Indeed, the loose fit of the spout 52 and the port 60 contribute to venting action during charging of the inhalator. y

Once the spout 52 is seated in the port 60, the valve 24 is opened by applying downward finger pressure on the platform 46 of the button 40 or spray discharge actuator. This pressure, when transmitted to the reciprocating valve stem 32, opens the valve 24 and permits the contents of the pressurized dispenser to travel up the siphon tube 34 and through the valve 24, valve stern 32, and lumen 54 and to. be sprayed into the wicking 66 as long as downward finger pressure is maintained on the button 40. When the wicking 66 is adequately charged, downward pressure on the button 40 is released and the v valve 24 is permitted to close.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, recharging of an end vented inhalator is illustrated. This inhalator, referred to generally by reference character 84, consists of a cylindrical body 86 having a base which is longitudinally axially pierced by an air vent or duct 88 and which carries an external thread 89. The top of the cylindrical body is open to receive a porous cotton filler 90 and a tightfitting filler-retaining head 92 which is driven into the cylindrical body 86 until a stop 94 on the side of the head abuts the end of the cylinder. The head is pro vided with a central inhalation port 96 and the side of the head carries a thread 98. A cap 100 (see FIG. 5,), having internal threads 101 is provided to use in covering the exposed portion of the filler-retaining head 92 and inhalation port 96 when the inhalator unit is' not in use. Similarly, a second cap 102 (see FIG. 6) also having internal threads. 103 is provided to mate with the threads 89 on the inhalator body 86 so as to close the air vent 88 when the unit is not in use.

The outer end of the duct 88 is enlarged to form a socket 104 which receives the walls of the valve stem 32. The end of htis stem rides against a shoulder 106 formed at the base of the socket 104, and, if desired, the cross secitonal shape of the socket and that of the protruding valve stern may be keyed to each other.

In charging or recharging an inhalator such as that of FIG. 4, the caps 100 and 102 are rst removed from each end of the inhalator 84 and the hollow valve stem 32 is then slipped into the socket 104 until the end of the stem engages the shoulder 106 at the base thereof The sides of the body 86 of the inhalator are then grasped between the fingers and downward pressure is applied sufficient to depress the valve stem 32 and thereby open the valve 24, permitting the liquid charge 36 in the pressurized dispenser to discharge through the siphon tube 34, valve 24, valve stern 32, and duct 88 into the filler 90. After adequate charging of the filler 90, the inhalator 84 is lifted of the outlet valve stem 32 and is ready for immediate use or to be closed with caps 100 and 102 pending future use.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the true scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Thus, in lieu of a liquid charge in the pressurized dispenser, a wide variety of uid materials may be employed including solutions, suspensions, emulsions, semi-solids, creams, lotions, vapors, powders, and fluidized solids, e.g. paints, inks, and the like, that have specific uses or purposes in the charging or recharging of receiver maintained at atmospheric pressure which comprises a pressure tight casing having a discharge outlet, a discharge valve closing said outlet, said valve having an inlet duct and an outlet stem, a fluid charge and a compressed pneumatic medium confined under super-atmospheric pressure within said casing, a mounting cup connected to said dispenser, said mounting cup having an annular groove, a spray discharge actuator frictionally mounted over said outlet stem and adapted to produce a spray of fine liquid droplets, said actuator having a sloping skirt on one side and a lip at the base of the sloping skirt, said lip projecting into said annular groove thereby holding said actuator in place on said mounting cup and on said outlet stem, said actuator having a tapering hollow spout adapted to be inserted into a filling opening of a receiver, a receiver maintained at atmospheric pressure, 'said receiver comprising a cylindrical body shell closed at one end, a wick retainer having longitudinal ribs engaging said body shell, said ribs being arranged to provide air vents from the interior of the receiver to the atmosphere, an absorbent wick frictionally held between the walls of said wick retainer, said body shell having a projection which acts as positioning means for said wick retainer, and a filling opening in said received adapted to mate with said tapering hollow spout in a loose fitting manner, whereby on opening said discharge valve while said spout in said actuator is mated with said filling opening in said receiver, said pneumatic medium causes discharge of sad fluid charge from said pressurized dispenser through said valve into said receiver wherein said discharged fluid charge expels air therefrom through said vents and enters into and is absorbed by said absorbent wick.

2. Apparatus for the transfer of'a liquid charge according to claim 1, wherein said spray discharge actuator includes a horizontal platform below said spout, said platform being adapted to receive downward finger pressure to cause the opening of said discharge valve whereby actuation of said hand-portable pressurized dispenser as a room spraying dispenser is facilitated by said platform.

3. Apparatus for the transfer of a fluid charge from a hand-portable pressurized dispenser to a hand-portable receiver maintained at atmospheric pressure which comprises the combination of a pressure tight vertical cylindrical casing having a closed concave bottom thereon and a discharge outlet at the top thereof, a discharge valve closing said outlet, said valve having an inlet duct and a hollow, reciprocatable, effluent-delivering valve stem having a terminal outlet, a liquid charge in the lower portion of said casing in solution in a liquefied, normally gaseous propellant, said propellant being confined under superatmospheric pressure within said casing, a siphon tube communicating said nletport with said solution, a mounting cup connected to said dispenser, said mounting cup having an annular groove, a spray discharge actuator frictionally mounted on said valve stem and adapted to produce a spray of fine liquid droplets, said actuator having a sloping skirt on one side and a lip at the base of the sloping skirt, said lip projecting into said annular groove thereby holding said actuator in place on said mounting cup and on said valve stem, said actuator having a tapering hollow spout adapted to be inserted into a filling opening of a receiver, a receiver maintained at atmospheric pressure, said receiver comprising a cylindrical body shell closed at one end, a wick retainer having longitudinal ribs engaging said body shell, said ribs being arranged to provide air vents from the` interior of the receiver to the through said vents and enters into and is absorbed byy said absorbent wick. n 4. Apparatus for charging with a liquid spray an absorbent wck in a nasal vapor inhalator which comprises the combination of a hand-'portable pressure-tight dispenser casing having a discharge outlet, a discharge valve closing said outlet, said valve having a valve stem and an inlet duct in'commuuication with a solution of a Vaporizable liquid in a liquefied normally gaseous propellant confined under' super-atmospheric pressure within said casing, amounting'cup connected to said dispenser, said mounting cup having an annular groove, a spray discharge actuator frictionally mounted on said valve stem and adapted to produce a spray of fine liquid droplets, said actuator having a sloping skirt on one side and a lip at the base of the sloping skirt, said lip rojecting into said 4annular groove thereby holding said actuator in place on said mounting cup and on said valve stem, said actuator having a tapering hollow spout adapted to be inserted l into a filling opening of an inhalator, a nasal vapor inhalator maintained at atmospheric pressure, said inhalator comprising a cylindrical body shell closed at one end, a

wick retainer having longitudinal ribs engagingsaid body shell, said ribs being arranged to provide air vents from the interior of the inhalator to the atmosphere, an absorbent wick frictionally held between the wallsjof said wick retainer, said body shell having aprojection which acts as positioning means for said wick retainer, and a filling opening in said inhalator adapted to mate member for closing said open end of said inhalator, whereby on removal of said closure member, insertion of said spout in 'said filling opening and opening of said discharge valve, said propellant causes discharge of said fluid charge from said pressurized dispenser through said valve to said inhalator, wherein said discharged fiuid charge expels air therefrom through said vents and er1- ters into and is absorbent by said absorbent wick.

' References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,262,911 Baron Nov. 18, 1941 2,639,849 Meyer May 26, 1953 2,728,509 vPeterson Dec. 27, 1955 2,938,499 Lindenbaum May 31, 1960. l 2,989,091 Lowenthal June 20, 1961 n with said tapering hollow spout in a loose fitting manner, a closure 

1. APPARATUS FOR THE TRANSFER OF A FLUID CHARGE FROM A HAND-PORTABLE PRESSURIZED DISPENSER TO A HAND-PORTABLE RECEIVER MAINTAINED AT ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE WHICH COMPRISES A PRESSURE TIGHT CASING HAVING A DISCHARGE OUTLET, A DISCHARGE VALVE CLOSING SAID OUTLET, SAID VALVE HAVING AN INLET DUCT AND AN OUTLET STEM, A FLUID CHARGE AND A COMPRESSED PNEUMATIC MEDIUM CONFINED UNDER SUPER-ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE WITHIN SAID CASING, A MOUNTING CUP CONNECTED TO SAID DISPENSER, SAID MOUNTING CUP HAVING AN ANNULAR GROOVE, A SPRAY DISCHARGE ACTUATOR FRICTIONALLY MOUNTED OVER SAID OUTLET STEM AND ADAPTED TO PRODUCE A SPRAY OF FINE LIQUID DROPLETS, SAID ACTUATOR HAVING A SLOPING SKIRT ON ONE SIDE AND A LIP AT THE BASE OF THE SLOPING SKIRT, SAID LIP PROJECTING INTO SAID ANNULAR GROOVE GHEREBY HOLDING SAID ACTUATOR IN PLACE ON SAID MOUNTING CUP AND ON SAID OUTLET STEM, SAID ACTUATOR HAVING A TAPERING HOLLOW SPOUT ADAPTED TO BE INSERTED INTO A FILING OPENING OF A RECEIVER, A RECEIVER MAINTAINED AT ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE, SAID RECEIVER COMPRISING A CYLINDRICAL BODY SHELL CLOSED AT ONE END, A WICK RETAINER HAVING LONGITUDINAL RIBS ENGAGING SAID BODY SHELL, SAID RIBS BEING ARRANGED TO PROVIDE AIR VENTS FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE RECEIVER TO THE ATMOSPHERE, AN ABSORBENT WICK FRICTIONALLY HELD BETWEEN THE WALLS OF SAID WICK RETAINER, SAID BODY SHELL HAVING A PROJECTION WHICH ACTS AS POSITIONING MEANS FOR SAID WICK RETAINER, AND A FILLING OPENING IN SAID RECEIVED ADAPTED TO MATE WITH SAID TAPERING HOLLOW SPOUT IN A LOOSE FITTING MANNER, WHEREBY ON OPENING SAID DISCHARGE VALVE WHILE SAID SPOUT IN SAID ACTUATOR IS MATED WITH SAID FILLING OPENING IN SAID RECEIVER, SAID PNEUMATIC MEDIUM CAUSES DISCHARGE OF SAID FLUID CHARGE FROM SAID PRESSURIZED DISPENSER THROUGH SAID VALVE INTO SAID RECEIVER WHEREIN SAID DISCHARGED FLUID CHARGE EXPELS AIR THEREFROM THROUGH SAID VENTS AND ENTERS INTO AND IS ABSORBED BY SAID ABSORBENT WICK. 